Chungers in Valentino

What a sophisticated school girl, so elegant and chic. Can I also have your awesomely balayaged locks?

Here's a closer look.

Hair-spiration

There are three things in my life which I bore of very easily.  The first being my wardrobe, the second being my hair, the third being my nail colour.  This week, I've been particularly tired of my hair.  

To those who have seen me looking at my reflection in train windows as well as shop fronts and office doors when I'm walking to work - I'm not checking myself out but trying to figure out how much of my hair I want to chop off. Promise!  

I'm also still toying with the idea of dip-dyeing my locks. Yes, still.

 

Heads down, buttons up

Ask my friends and colleagues and they'll tell you how I've been prepping it lately, even on casual Fridays.  It's all about the button down shirt, buttoned up all the way up to the collar and a chunky cable knit jumper, a cute tube skirt or jeans and oxfords or brogues.  My top picks are the cheeky cut-out numbers by Dion Lee Line II and this stylish sheer one by Yeojin Bae.

It's all part of the Alexa effect.  Next month, the It girl herself, will be in Sydney for the launch of 30 Days of Fashion and Beauty and I, like most other fashion obsessed Sydneysiders, can't wait to style stalk her.

Forever young

I am pretty much a small child.  I am petite or vertically challenged, however you'd like to phrase it.  I wear size 5 shoes.  I clap my hands when I'm excited. I am obsessed with Harry Potter.  Sometime between the hours of three o'clock and four o'clock in the afternoon, I crave chocolate and/ or chips.  

Last December, I was given a Country Road $200 gift card. I don't shop at Country Road, the last thing I've ever bought from was one of their Country Road bags way back in '07. I've been glued to their website for a couple of months now hoping something amazing will appear - a winter coat for example but nada. As you have probably gathered, I'm not one who likes to shop for basics, which is what Country Road essentially stocks.  

When I rocked up to Country Road today, this Foil Print Knit took my fancy, it's $179. That was until I remembered the awesome Country Road Girls prints we used to stock when I worked in the Kidswear department of Myer.  I couldn't do it less than a year ago but today, I somehow managed to fit the Girls size 12 - either I'm wasting away or Country Road has scaled up their sizes. So I went a bit loopy and bought all of this for a little over $200. And it's real wool, none of this acrylic biz.

I know what you're thinking but so what if I'll look like a child?  Alexa Chung dresses like a child all the time and she's one smoking IT girl/ child. And besides, I'm being my childlike self and doing it for a fraction of the price. Who's winning now?

Supergal Alexa works it for Italian label Superga

Brit hipster and IT Girl, Alexa Chung is at it again, modelling away. This time, she's lending a hand to Italian sportswear label, Superga and helping them widen their UK audience.  With Alexa's cult following, I'm certain word of Superga has spread beyond the UK. 

Check out the beautifully shot campaign video, with Alexa showcasing the label's wares in her own casual chic, quirky Brit style.

The year that was

Abbey Lee in a crown, because she's conquered this year like nobody's business

In this issue of Frankie, in a story of the same name, the Editors, Jo and Lara asked a bunch of well-known and very much loved contributors, "What did they get up to in the past 12 months?" Myf Warhurst, Sally Seltmann, Karen Walker plus many more, give an insight to their lives by revealing 20 events which occurred during the year. In this story, we have a simple list of things  people hold dear to their hearts -  their achievements, their struggles, their loves and heartbreaks, their observations as well as what they call their everyday.

You've read theirs, now you can read mine.

1. Graduated from uni.
2. Found a new job.
3. Made some beautiful new friends who I wouldn't be able to get through a work day without!
4. Turned old acquaintances into friends.
5. Enjoyed picnics and sunbaking in the park with said new friends.  
6. Visited the hill tribes of Mae Hong Son and Pai in Thailand.
7. Started watching Gossip Girl again and subsequently continued to get annoyed at the characters' stupidity.
8. Developed a shoe fetish.
9. Decided to listen to the doctor's orders 14 years later and started drinking soy milk.
10. Realised the wonderful possibilities of online shopping.
11. Had too many dreams about another Harry Potter book coming out and waking up terribly disappointed.
12. Tried and failed to disapparate home after a long day at work (numerous times).
13. Danced around like an idiot without a care in the world until my feet could no longer take it. 
14. Became more open to trying new things.
15. Went on a road trip with my amazing uni peeps.
16. Toned down my unnatural obsession with Alexa Chung.
17. Ate a diet of Japanese food at least twice a week and longed to be Japanese.
18. Became obsessed with velvet.
19. Declared it was "The year of the pants" after refusing to wear them for two years. A month later, I saw that same statement in a magazine.
20. Finally rocked the orange lip that for two summers had been too afraid to do so.

So tell me, what did you get up to in the past 12 months?

I've fallen in love with you all over again, Alexa Chung

"Williamsburg is sort of like my lover, whereas London is more like my husband. I love my husband, and I'll always be with him, but Williamsburg is so exciting" - Alexa Chung

You can't watch this video and tell me you don't like the lovely Alexa.  She's so endearing with that English accent of hers and oh-so self-deprecating.  The fact that she thinks so could possibly bore viewers is just simply insane. Oh, and she references The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air.  I don't think anyone could be any cooler.

I must admit, Alexa, you went down a few notches in my book these past few months.  Your hair is currently kind of lacklustre, your outfits are more granny than glam. But after watching this video I'm in love again and it's just because we share a mutual love for The Picture of Dorian Gray.  When I heard you were hosting a new show, Thrift America, I thought there's no way I could like it at all.  Patience is a virtue that I don't have and when it comes to op-shopping, I certainly do not have patience. All that digging around to find something the perfect find that is even the right size? Not for me at all. 

But Alexa, you've done it again and broadened the appeal of "thrift shopping" as you call it. Now, thanks to you, I want to go to Brooklyn even more. One store that sells Proenza Schouler PS1 and just around the corner a store that sells warm and fuzzy shearling coats, Burberry style?  That's my kind of place.

Check out Bird's website (the first store mentioned by Alexa). I'm torn between these two pairs of shoes.

NO. 6 Lace up sandal clogs

Rachel Comey Juggler Slingback Heels

And like an optometrist now I'm going to ask you, one or two? One or two.